Thor 7 is positioned at orbital location 1.0° W and provides digital television broadcasting and broadband access to subscribers in Scandinavia, the Baltic region, Central and Eastern Europe. The database records 7 active transponders and 79 channels in the Ku and Ka bands. Primary content includes Scandinavian premium packages from Viasat, Canal Digital and Telenor Digital TV.
Launch and Platform
The satellite was launched into orbit on 14 December 2015 by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. Built on the SSL 1300 platform by Space Systems/Loral with a design life of 15 years. Thor 7 replaced the previous Thor 6 and significantly expanded the capacity of the 1.0° W position — primarily through the introduction of the Ka band alongside the traditional Ku band.
Coverage Areas and Reception in Ukraine
The satellite forms several regional beams. The primary Ku beam is oriented towards Scandinavia and the Baltic region — where a 60–75 cm dish is sufficient. For Ukraine, the signal is peripheral: in practice, when adjusting a 0.90 m reflector in Kyiv, the signal level remains within acceptable limits in clear weather, but under dense cloud conditions, the signal margin is significantly reduced.
| Beam | Coverage | Dish Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Ku — primary | Scandinavia, Baltic region, Poland | 60–75 cm |
| Ku — extended | Central and Eastern Europe | 90 cm |
| Ka — broadband | Northern and Central Europe | from 1.2 m (Ukraine) |
For Kyiv and central regions, the antenna pointing azimuth is 210–220°, elevation angle is 28–32°. In western Ukraine (Lviv, Uzhhorod) the elevation angle is slightly higher. In the east and south it decreases, increasing the impact of atmospheric interference and requiring more careful adjustment.
Transponder Capacity and Frequency Bands
Thor 7 operates simultaneously in the Ku (10.7–12.75 GHz) and Ka (26.5–40 GHz) bands. Broadcasting is conducted in DVB-S2 standard with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. The Ka band on this satellite is primarily oriented towards broadband internet services for maritime and aviation sectors. Ku remains the primary band for television broadcasting — this is what interests most installers in the region.
Television Packages and Free-to-Air Channels
Thor 7 hosts leading Scandinavian premium packages. The main operators and broadcasters at this position are:
- Telenor Digital TV — flagship package for Norway and the region
- Viasat — wide range of Scandinavian and international channels
- Canal Digital — premium content for Scandinavian audiences
- Telia — telecommunications operator with its own TV package
- Nordisk Film — Scandinavian film content
Free-to-air (FTA) channels at position 1.0° W are minimal. The vast majority of content is encrypted via Conax and Viaccess conditional access systems and is intended exclusively for Scandinavian subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What dish size is needed to receive Thor 7 in Kyiv?
- For Ku band reception, a 90 cm diameter dish is sufficient. Ka band reception requires a reflector of at least 1.2 m and a special converter.
- Are there free-to-air channels on Thor 7 for Ukraine?
- Most channels are encrypted in Conax or Viaccess systems and are intended for Scandinavian subscribers. The number of FTA channels is minimal.
- What azimuth should the antenna be set to for reception from position 1.0° W?
- For central Ukrainian regions — approximately 210–220° (southwest), elevation angle — 28–32°. Exact values depend on the geographic coordinates of the installation location.
- What broadcasting standard does Thor 7 use?
- DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Reception requires a receiver with DVB-S2 support.